Martinsburg daily gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1887-1887, 1887-05-30
ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN 1854.
New Actor on the Political Field-On
the stump in Illinois.

\
But now new actor came forward on
the political stage in central Illinois; or
rather, an old favoIite reappeared. This
was Abraham Lincoln. Since his return
to Springfield from his single term of SER
vice to congress, 1847 to 1849, though by
no means entirely withdrawn from poll
tics, his active work had been greatly
diminished. His congressional life had
largely increased the horizon Of his obser-
walton. Perhaps it had also extended the
bounds of his ambition. He had doubtless
discovered many of his own defects, and
not unlikely had diligently sought to
remedy them. The period following had
for him been years of work. study and re-
Election. His profession of law had be-
come deeper science and q higher re-
sponsibility. His practice, receiving his
undivided attention, brought him more
important and mere renumerative cases.
Losing nothing Of his genial huinor his
character took on the dignity of grayer
manhood He was still in the center and
the idol of every social group he encoun-
tered, whether on the street or in the par
lor. Serene and biioyant of temper, cor
dial and winning. of language, charitable
and tolerant of opinion, his very presence
diffused o glow of confidence and kind
ness. Wherever he went he left an ever
widening ripple Of smiles, jests and laugh
ter. Ills radiant good fellowship was be-
loved and sought alike by political OPP
ponents and partisan friends. His sturdy
and delicate integrity, recognized fer and
wide, had long since won him the blunt,
hearty sobriquet of Honest old Abe. z
But it became noticeable that of late years
he was less.among the crowd and more in
III.
that he seemed ever in haste to leave the
eager circle he was entertaining.
1t was in the mid summer of 1854 that
we find him reappearing on the stump in
central Illinois. The rural population
always welcomed his oratory, made up of
ready wit, apt illustration, simple state
ment, .forcible logic. His diction was
familiar to the ear, his stories were racy
of the soil. He never lacked for invita-
tions to address the public. His first
speeches on the new and all absorbing topic
we're made in the neighboring town and in
hecounties adjoining his own. Toward the
end of August the candidates for congress
In that district were, in western phrase,
ION the track" Yates, afterward one of
the famous twar governors, sought re-
election as a Wing. Harris as Douglas
Democrat, strQye to supplant him. Local
politics became active, and Lincoln was
sent for in all directions to address the
people. When he went, however, he
| distinctly announced that he did not prlr-
pose to take up his time with this personal
and congressional controversy. His in
tention was to discuss the principles of the
Nebraska bill.
Once launched upon this theme men
were surprised to find him imbued with q
new and unwonted seriousness. They
heard from his lips fewer anecdotes and
more history Careless listeners who
came to laugh at his jokes sat spellbound
by the strong current of his reasoning
and the flashes of his earnest eloquence,
and were lifted up by the range and tenor
of his argument into fresher and purer
political atmosphere. The Century.